Are Timberwolves looking to trade up in NBA draft?

Rookie Derrick Williams drives for a layup, guarded by OC's #13 James Harden in the first half,as the Minnesota Timberwolves played the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Wolves' season opener, at Target Center in Minneapolis on December 26, 2011. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

Are the Timberwolves considering the unthinkable?

One of the many rumors starting to circulate leading up to the NBA draft, according to ESPN.com, has the Wolves reportedly offering forward Derrick Williams, the No. 2 overall pick in 2011, in an attempt to move up in the draft order.

The Wolves, out of the lottery for the first time in eight years, have the No. 18 overall pick in the draft Thursday night, June 28.

ESPN.com made reference to the Wolves' alleged trade pursuit Monday while listing several "rumors" in the website's latest draft coverage.

Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn tentatively was scheduled to talk with the media on Monday after the team worked out several draft prospects at Target Center, but Kahn did not attend the session. A Wolves media relations official said Kahn was not available for comment.

The Wolves' critical need in the offseason is to land a productive shooting guard -- either in the draft or free agency. If the Wolves do not move up in the draft, they likely will miss out on the top prospects at that position, including Florida's Bradley Beal, Connecticut's Jeremy Lamb, Duke's Austin Rivers and Dion Waiters of Syracuse. All four are projected to go among the first 10 or 15 picks.

Washington's Terrance Ross, a 6 foot 6 sophomore, is one player the Wolves were hoping would be available at No. 18, but strong workouts over the past two weeks have dramatically increased his status to a potential top 10 pick.

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Kahn indicated in May that the Wolves would "have to stay open to everything" with regard to improving the team. Trading Williams after one NBA season would represent a blockbuster decision for Kahn and could have major ramifications on the team's direction. Williams was rated by many experts as the best overall player in the 2011 draft with a bright future alongside all-star Kevin Love and exciting point guard Ricky Rubio.

Williams, who averaged 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 21.5 minutes as a rookie, was the only Wolves player to appear in all 66 games of the lockout-shortened season. But Williams' success was sporadic, as first-year coach Rick Adelman tried to figure out his role and best position in a rotation with Love, Michael Beasley, Martell Webster and Anthony Tolliver.

The coaching staff gave Williams an extensive offseason conditioning and development program that includes playing with the Wolves' rookies, free agents and second-year players in the Las Vegas Summer Pro League July 13-22. Adelman said at the end of the season that Williams' progress will be monitored closely, an indication that the 6-8 forward is still considered to be part of the organization's future.

Rubio update

Rubio, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in March, is returning to Spain on Tuesday to continue his rehabilitation program in his hometown of Barcelona. Kahn said last month that if Rubio went home for the summer, a Wolves trainer would go with him to help supervise his workouts.

Rubio had a second visit last week in Vail, Colo., with Dr. Richard Steadman, who performed the surgery on March 21. Rubio tore the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee and is in the midst of a six- to nine-month recovery.

More draft workouts

Syracuse center Fab Melo is among the prospects who will work out for the Wolves on Tuesday at Target Center. The session is expected to conclude the team's pre-draft workouts.

Memphis shooting guard Will Barton, the Conference USA player of the year last season, worked out for the Wolves on Monday.